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maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 JANUARY 2026
NEWS
Severe gale-force winds
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Emergency services respond-
ed to nearly 300 incidents, and
no serious injuries or fatalities
were reported, Home Affairs
Minister Byron Camilleri told
parliament on Tuesday evening.
Civil Protection teams re-
moved fallen trees, cleared
debris from streets, dealt with
hazardous spills and vehicle
fires, and assisted residents
who were trapped by storm
damage. Local councils issued
warnings urging the public to
avoid shorelines and exposed
areas.
Government schools in Mell-
ieħa, St Paul's Bay and Qawra
were closed for the day because
of expected staff shortages—the
schools have a high proportion
of Gozitan teachers, who could
not make the crossing because
ferry services were suspended.
All other government schools
remained open but only around
3,000 students attended. Postal
deliveries and garbage collec-
tion were also suspended on
Tuesday.
Camilleri thanked members
of the uniformed forces and the
people for cooperating with the
authorities.
Reporting by MaltaToday
newsroom.
Broken bus stop sign on Sliema front
(Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)
Brave jogger at Wied iz-Zurrieq (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)
Ducks taking shelter at St Thomas Bay in
Marsaskala (Photo: Estelle Calleja)
Waves crashing against the Valletta bastions in the Grand Harbour (Photo: Kurt Sansone/MaltaToday)
